[nfbmi-talk] opinion only

Tonya Smith tonyasmith75 at live.com
Thu Mar 17 20:30:48 UTC 2011


I don't think Rick made a big mistake by electing Larry. I mean it's not his fault that Pat and Larry don't get along. I mean that's the way it goes. I mean it's not his fault that Pat doesn't man up and start owning up his mistakes in life. I mean Pat, as far as I'm concern, leave Larry alone. He is fine. Leave him alone. He is a great guy, you know. That's all I got to say. I mean as far as I'm concern, man this is just completely childish. You know what I mean? All this protest and everything. Man, grow up people. This is childish. This is stupid. All this fighting and bickering between organizations. My goodness! This is damn.

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> Original Message:
> ---------------------------------
> 
> From: Regina Alvarado <regina.alvarado6 at gmail.com> 
> Sent: March 17, 2011 3:40:39 PM
> To: NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] opinion only
> 
> It is not that I am disagreeing with the appointments, although it seems 
> even Snyder is having second concerns, I am pointing to the fact that we 
> squeaked when Granholm placed someone we didn't like on the Board.  The rest 
> I understand, figuring any group has people in another group they don't 
> like, but with all that has happened to me with the cancer and all over the 
> last year, I can't stand the nonsense, and now I hear from friends of mine 
> it is coming from ACB just like it did from the NFB last year.
> Reggie and Brooks
> 
> 
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "Tonya Smith" <tonyasmith75 at live.com>
> Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2011 1:54 PM
> To: "NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] opinion only
> 
> > Hey, this is Tonya.  You know, I have to agree with you all of this 
> > bickering is really starting to annoy me.  This is what I was told the ACB 
> > and NFB doesn't get along and frankly, you know what, I'm glad I didn't 
> > sign up, I'm glad I didn't become a member yet and I probably won't. 
> > Frankly, I'm not taking one over the other, Mary is the best person, he's 
> > been appointed and good for him.  I like Rick, I don't like Gran Holmes, 
> > she didn't do nothing.  She down graded jobs, she put jobs in other 
> > states, she messed up our economy along with other Presidents in the US, 
> > so, you know and that's basically the way I see it, okay and I'm not going 
> > to sugar code it and I'm sorry but that's just the way I feel, you know. 
> > She didn't do a good job, she down graded everything, she basically messed 
> > up the economy.  I mean, my gosh, even my own husband doesn't like her, 
> > you know, so I mean, I think what you're wishing for is basically, well I 
> > think you're beating a dead horse here.  You know because people have 
> > difference of opinions whether you like it or not and I guess if you don't 
> > like what's being said, don't say anything, you know, because you're just 
> > going to get ended up in the mix, you know, and if you don't care to 
> > belong to either organization then
> >
> > Tonya Smith sent you this voice-to-text generated email using Voice on the 
> > Go.
> > To listen, click on the voice message link or open the attachment.
> > http://vemail2.whitelabelapp.net:8080/enterprise/Recordings/8wumZaBP-20110317-1328.wav
> >
> >
> >> Original Message:
> >> ---------------------------------
> >>
> >> From: Regina Alvarado <regina.alvarado6 at gmail.com>
> >> Sent: March 17, 2011 1:08:40 PM
> >> To: NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
> >> Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] opinion only
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> I have stayed out of this as I have been too angry to write.  First of 
> >> all,
> >> let me say here that I believe Christine and especially Larry are the 
> >> best
> >> people to be on the Board.  My problem is not his placement on the Board 
> >> but
> >> the fact that Snyder placed him there.  Did the NFBMI scream to high 
> >> heaven
> >> when Granholm place someone from the ACB on the Board.  Are we not being
> >> just a bit hypocritical here? Nepatism (sorry for the spelling) goes on 
> >> in
> >> both parties, but lets call it what it is.  He knew Larry and nobody 
> >> else.
> >> Why should be we high fiving when we screamed at Granholm?  Anyway, I am
> >> coming to the conclusion that it is about time we begin to work together 
> >> for
> >> the betterment of blind people instead of playing games.  In case nobody 
> >> has
> >> payed attention, more blind people I know think the NFB doesn't speak for
> >> them than do.  Just look at Newsline subscribers.  I want everyone to be 
> >> on
> >> the same side against what we know
> >> is incorrect, not fighting each other, and most of all I want hypocrisy 
> >> to
> >> be acknowledged for what it is.  Personally right now, I do not care if I
> >> belong to NFB or ACB.  I just happen to believe in some of NFB's 
> >> philosophy.
> >> However, I will say here I do not eat, drink, sleep, smoke, or anything 
> >> else
> >> the NFB line nor do I the ACB's.
> >>
> >> Again, I think Larry is the best person for this, but NFBMI was just a 
> >> bit
> >> hypocritical in my opinion.  Sounds from the news clip that the governor 
> >> is
> >> just a tad worried too!  OK got it off my chest.  Am staying in the WWCC
> >> chapter until I move to Florida (hopefully sooner than later), but not 
> >> sure
> >> I am going to be a part of any blind organization once I hit Florida 
> >> except
> >> maybe Guide Dog Users.
> >> Reggie who wants peace and honesty as life it just too darned short to 
> >> fight
> >> with one another
> >>
> >>
> >> --------------------------------------------------
> >> From: "joe harcz Comcast" <joeharcz at comcast.net>
> >> Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2011 11:12 AM
> >> To: <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
> >> Subject: [nfbmi-talk] horrible slanted news
> >>
> >> > This is just plain disgusting and just plain fluff. Listen please you 
> >> > all.
> >> > I'm personally a decidedly left of center person and all know I've had
> >> > political and philosophical disputes with both NFB and ACB for that
> >> > matter. It is all irrelevant. The MCB is a federally funded program 
> >> > that
> >> > is supposed to run under the rule of law and not the rule of man as are
> >> > all others. That is independent, or should be of politics. Yet, here we
> >> > have basically a news plant, devoidof content that is meaningful which 
> >> > is
> >> > typical Cannon modus operandi. The news should in my mind do some due
> >> > diligence in reporting real and documented actions rather than playing
> >> > political football. Maybe they should look into the books of MCB. And, 
> >> > as
> >> > per Richard Bernstein all I have to say is this: "I've sent him for 
> >> > years
> >> > documentation of the ADA violations by Cannon and MCB. I ask openly 
> >> > here:
> >> > What gives?"
> >> >
> >> > Darn maybe he'd like to see the accessibility surveys and such in
> >> > accessible format of MCB and other state facilities. Oops he's seen as
> >> > much as I have.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > IOh, my I'm trying very hard not to swear here. But, I've begged
> >> > Bernbnstein, M PAS and others, literally and in phone calls and in 
> >> > writing
> >> > to sue MCB for ADA violations.
> >> >
> >> > I personally have grave reservations and will protest other issues 
> >> > related
> >> > to the Snyder administration and our Republican dominated legislature.
> >> > But, this stuff is nothing short of pure political football without any
> >> > accountability, which should be the bottom line of news period. And end 
> >> > of
> >> > story. Except that Bernstein, Bodding, and the Detroit News should 
> >> > simply
> >> > look at the books and the shenigans and all the other crap conducted 
> >> > under
> >> > the regime of Cannon.
> >> >
> >> > I, for one, as a former journalist am damned sick and tired of the 
> >> > fluff,
> >> > and PR driven news coverage in general and in specific here. That goes 
> >> > to
> >> > both the so-called right and the so-called left. Facts are facts and 
> >> > news
> >> > should be fact driven.
> >> >
> >> > And I don't give a rat's posterior if those facts hit a Democrat or a
> >> > Republican, or a Socialist, or a doornob.
> >> >
> >> > This is nothing but politics in the worst sense of the term. This is
> >> > nothing but character assasination by default without examing the 
> >> > facts.
> >> >
> >> > Arrgh! Let me write later about the stuff on my old computer related to
> >> > the Kerry campaign and Janelle Cannon. Let me write later about trying 
> >> > to
> >> > make Democratic Party functions and events and even the 2004 primary 
> >> > fully
> >> > accessable to the blind.
> >> >
> >> > Let me write later about all my years of trying to make the Grandholm
> >> > Administration and all of its programs, services and activities 
> >> > accessable
> >> > to all people with all disabilities. Argh! And much of what you good
> >> > people on this list have seen in these regards has been sent to both
> >> > Richard Bernstein and in fact the Detroit News.
> >> >
> >> > I am so outraged at this crap I simply can hardly write. But, this 
> >> > needs
> >> > to be a component of the public record.
> >> >
> >> > Larry is an honest broker. He and I differ generally when it comes to
> >> > nominal party affiliation. In fact and I'll say it here my only issue 
> >> > with
> >> > Obama is that he is far to the right of me. Now, that and a dollar or 
> >> > two
> >> > will get us all a cup of coffee.
> >> >
> >> > Opinions are like noses as everyone has one for the most part. But, 
> >> > facts
> >> > are facts.
> >> >
> >> > For too damned long. Far too damned long MCB has run as a sort of 
> >> > secret
> >> > government. And I and others wish the News and other so-called news
> >> > sources would simply look at the books. Or maybe they should simply 
> >> > look
> >> > at attending today's meeting and finding the entrance with a blind fold 
> >> > on
> >> > or in a wheelchair.
> >> >
> >> > This is incredible in that for some reason if it is done then the stuff
> >> > I've sent to the News, to Bernstein and others about compliance and 
> >> > simply
> >> > fixing the ADA issues alone surrounding MCB will come to light.
> >> >
> >> > Man, for ten years I've tried to get Bernstein to sue MCB and other 
> >> > state
> >> > entities for violations of the ADA. These are known and documented
> >> > violations bythe way and not some spin or conjecture including the lack 
> >> > of
> >> > ADAAG required raised character and Braille signage in all state
> >> > buildings. This also includes independence reports forwarded to 
> >> > Bernstein
> >> > and in fact a Detroit News reporter documenting these things as well as
> >> > other issues relevent to ADA, Title II compliance.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Argh!! Argh!
> >> >
> >> > Here things are clear. Neither the News nor Bernstein or anyone else
> >> > really cares about the ADA or our civil rights or facts. They just care
> >> > about politics.
> >> >
> >> > They are as guilty as this Administration and this Legislature of going
> >> > after people with disabilities and those who are blind. A pox on them
> >> > both! But, the outrage expressed here is simply an outrage and bovine
> >> > stuff of the highest order.
> >> >
> >> > The politics and the crap will ultimately shut MCB and otherstate run
> >> > organizations like it down and it all goes to politics.
> >> >
> >> > And sadly, most sadly it is politics devoid of principle and laden in 
> >> > fact
> >> > and deed with personal engrandisement of a few chosen, and that 
> >> > includes
> >> > Cannon. Who died and named him God? What the heck is his documented 
> >> > track
> >> > record devoid of politics? Has the News or any other so-called news 
> >> > source
> >> > ever investigated the fact that this clown is the highest paid and 
> >> > highest
> >> > placed public official in the entire state without a college degree?
> >> >
> >> > The News and MCB and all Party types should be made aware that all
> >> > agencies of state government should be scrutinized regardless as to
> >> > affilliation, or politics and on objective standards. And MCB is and
> >> > should not be immune to that scrutiny.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Joe
> >> >
> >> > Snyder appointee to agency for blind risks conflict
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > New commissioner, director have been at odds for years
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Paul Egan / Detroit News Lansing Bureau
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Lansing ? Gov. Rick Snyder's appointment to the Michigan Commission for
> >> > the Blind of a vocal critic has set the stage for increased turmoil at 
> >> > the
> >> > agency
> >> >
> >> > that serves the state's estimated 45,000 blind people.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Snyder's press secretary, Sara Wurfel, says the governor wasn't aware 
> >> > of
> >> > the bad blood between his newly appointed commissioner, Larry Posont, 
> >> > and
> >> > longtime
> >> >
> >> > agency director Pat Cannon when he appointed Posont earlier this month.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Posont, who is blind and serves as Michigan president of the National
> >> > Federation of the Blind, says Cannon has fostered "an atmosphere of
> >> > cover-up, secrecy
> >> >
> >> > and intimidation," and he wants him to step down. Cannon, who is also
> >> > blind and has held his state post since 1998, denies the allegations 
> >> > and
> >> > says he
> >> >
> >> > has no intention of leaving.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > "This is not good," said Richard Bernstein, a prominent blind attorney
> >> > from Farmington Hills who last year sought the Democratic nomination 
> >> > for
> >> > attorney
> >> >
> >> > general. "At a time when you're going through critical budget cuts ? 
> >> > you
> >> > really need to have more cohesion."
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > The heads of two agencies that advocate for the blind have written 
> >> > Snyder
> >> > asking him to reconsider the appointment to the five-member commission
> >> > charged
> >> >
> >> > with helping blind people live and work independently. It holds its
> >> > quarterly meeting in Lansing today and Friday.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > "I would like to see them withdraw the appointment," said Gwen Botting 
> >> > of
> >> > Ionia, president of Michigan Parents of Children with Visual 
> >> > Impairments.
> >> > "It
> >> >
> >> > is a mistake, in my opinion."
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Joe Sibley, president of the Michigan Council of the Blind, said he's
> >> > "concerned this could be damaging in the long run, especially if 
> >> > (Posont)
> >> > is made
> >> >
> >> > chairman."
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > As federation president, Posont, 59, has organized a public 
> >> > demonstration
> >> > against Cannon for about the past two years has criticized his handling 
> >> > of
> >> > personnel
> >> >
> >> > issues, his dealings with blind entrepreneurs who operate shops or 
> >> > vending
> >> > machines in state buildings, and his handling of a federal audit, among
> >> > other
> >> >
> >> > issues. Posont said his main priority as a commissioner is to do a 
> >> > better
> >> > job of helping blind people get jobs.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > "Mr. Cannon's recent actions are an unwarranted abuse of power and 
> >> > amount
> >> > to intimidation and bullying of blind citizens of Michigan who dare to
> >> > speak for
> >> >
> >> > themselves and question his policies," Posont said after Cannon's 2010
> >> > firing of Christine Boone, who is blind, as director of the 
> >> > commission's
> >> > Blind Training
> >> >
> >> > Center in Kalamazoo.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Wurfel said Snyder's children know Posont's children but the governor
> >> > wasn't "aware of the extent of the commission's history" when he 
> >> > appointed
> >> > Posont
> >> >
> >> > on March 2. Snyder expects "both appointees and staff to work together 
> >> > in
> >> > a collaborative, constructive fashion," she said. "Moving forward to 
> >> > best
> >> > serve
> >> >
> >> > the blind and visually impaired community is imperative."
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Posont of Dearborn Heights did not sound conciliatory this week. "He
> >> > (Cannon) could go between now and June and we wouldn't have to figure 
> >> > out
> >> > a way to
> >> >
> >> > push him out," he said. Otherwise, "this could get very dirty."
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Cannon, 68, whose $125,000-a-year post is civil service, not a 
> >> > political
> >> > appointment, said Posont's comments are surprising and unfortunate.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > "We are both dedicated to working in the best interests of blind people 
> >> > in
> >> > Michigan," he said. "I am optimistic that we will work well together."
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > The commission, which is not paid, must have at least three members who
> >> > are blind. It can't dismiss Cannon but annually reviews his performance
> >> > and recommends
> >> >
> >> > a replacement if the post becomes vacant. Cannon said he's received
> >> > "outstanding evaluations over the last 13 years."
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Though both advocate for the blind, Posont's federation and Sibley's
> >> > council have different philosophies on issues such as whether special
> >> > accommodations
> >> >
> >> > should be made for blind people, with the federation less supportive of
> >> > such measures.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Sibley said the council takes a nonconfrontational approach while 
> >> > Posont
> >> > prefers the "pit bull" method. Posont agreed the federation is more
> >> > aggressive
> >> >
> >> > than the council and said it is less supportive of special measures, 
> >> > such
> >> > as currency implants to help blind people distinguish one denomination 
> >> > of
> >> > bill
> >> >
> >> > from another.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Boone was fired for allegedly violating rules about workplace safety 
> >> > and
> >> > firearms on state property after she used pellet guns to offer
> >> > marksmanship training
> >> >
> >> > to blind students.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Cannon said he can't comment on a personnel matter.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Posont said Boone had been doing an "exemplary job" of instilling 
> >> > students
> >> > with "a positive philosophy of blindness" and Cannon had verbally 
> >> > signed
> >> > off
> >> >
> >> > on the marksmanship training. There was no safety issue and the
> >> > small-caliber pellet guns used are not even considered firearms under
> >> > Michigan law, he
> >> >
> >> > said.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Posont put out a news release announcing his appointment before the
> >> > governor's office did. Posont's release said Snyder had named him
> >> > chairman; Snyder's
> >> >
> >> > release only named Posont a member. Posont conceded his release was
> >> > premature.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > http://www.detnews.com/article/20110317/POLITICS02/103170410/1022/Snyder-appointee-to-agency-for-blind-risks-conflict
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > _______________________________________________
> >> > nfbmi-talk mailing list
> >> > nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org
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> >> _______________________________________________
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